Sound recording and reproducing machine



J. M. KUHLlK SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Sept. 24, 1946.

Original Filed July 4, 1942 '2 Sheets-Sheet l c a A 5 a H w w. a w M m .M w a 3 M w u 3 3 3 5 m 1 u m 1 3 1 v r 7 l v F 9 a 3 0 3 3" I 90 1 M M 3 3 8 8 a 2 V .n q 0 m 5 3 2 3 m w z 2 0 H 5 6 10 6 5 m 2 ,3 5 4e w 2 INVENT R.

Sept. 24, 1946. J. M. KUHLIK SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Original Filed July 4, 1942 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 24, 1946 SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Jacob M. Kuhlik, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Hattie B. Kuhlik, Sea Gate, N. Y.

Original application July 4, 1942, Serial No.

449,710. Divided and this application November 23, 1943, Serial No. 511,400

7 Claims.

This invention relates to sound recording and reproducing machines and is a division of my application Serial Number 449,710 filed July 4, 1942.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a machine of this type that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, compact in structure and positive in action.

Another object is to provide means for automatically stopping the film driving mechanism at predetermined points along the strip of film during recording and rewinding.

Another object is to save film material by operating upon the film over a limited length of film only.

Another object is to provide means for shifting the sound head from track to track on the film.

Another object is to provide improved means for driving the strip of film for recording and rewinding purposes.

A further object is to provide means for longitudinally tensioning the film.

Still another object is to provide means for relieving the tension on the film for rewinding.

Another object is to provide means for indicating the track upon which the sound head is operating.

Another object is to provide means for shifting the film reels bodily.

Other objects and advantages of my present invention will be apparent from the description thereof to follow taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a front view'of a recording and reproducing machine embodying one form of my invention, parts being broken away for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine of Fig. 1, with parts above the path of movement of the film being removed and parts being shown in section and parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism for actuating the clutch.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of part of the mechanism for automatically actuating the clutch releasing means.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a recording and reproducing machine embodying another form of my invention, parts being broken away.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detail View of part of the means for indicating the position of the stylus transversely of the film.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism for moving the recording and reproducing head transversely of the film.

Referring to the drawings, my improved machine may be mounted in a portable case or may be mounted on a fixed support as desired. It includes a horizontal base plate i on which is mounted a vertically disposed wall 2a substantially centrally positioned on the plate. This wall, together with a panel 20 spaced forwardly thereof and extending downwardly from the top to a point just above the center thereof, supports the various units of the machine.

Supported for bodily movement at the bottom and at the ends of the wall 2a are reels 26a and am for supporting a traveling strip of film 4. When recording, the reel 3 la is a supply reel and the reel 26a is a receiving or take-up reel, and when rewinding said reel Sla is a receiving reel and the reel 26a is a supply reel.

The film 4 may be suitably marked at spaced intervals therealong, with identification marks, for indicating the variou spaces or zones. For instance, it may be marked at every foot of its length with a number, starting at the lead end thereof with the number 1 and numbering the zones consecutively to the end of the film. Other identification marks may be used of course, such as, the letters of the alphabet.

When recording, the film 4 passes from the supply reel 3la upwardly and over an idler roller 200 supported by the wall 2a and thence over an anvil or base 20| supported by said wall. When passing over the anvil 201 it is adapted to be engaged by the stylus of a head member or unit 202 containing electromagnetic means for converting varying electrical currents into mechanical movements of the stylus or for converting movements or vibrations of the stylus into corresponding electrical currents a is well understood. The point of the stylus is adapted to cut a groove or track in the film as the film is moved past the same in its forward travel from reel 3la to reel 26a. The head 262 is adapted to be moved transversely to the motion of the film in graduated steps in order that a large number of closely spaced grooves or tracks may be recorded on a single strip of film. Movement of the stylus is controlled by the mechanism included in the head 202.

From the anvil, the film passes over and frictionally engages the surface of a drive roller 203, and after leaving this roller it is tensioned by a roller 204 and then passes to and around the reel 26a.

The mechanism for moving the film along its path includes a driving shaft 206 which is operatively connected to a motor M. Rotatably supported in a suitable bearing in the wall 2a in alignment with the shaft 206 and adapted to be operatively connected thereto is a driven shaft 209, on the outer end of which the roller 203 is fixed whereby the film is frictionally driven.

The recording and reproducing head 202 is screw threads is mounted on this shaft so that the threads of the opening engage the threads on the shaft. Rotation of the shaft by any suitable means, such as a finger knob 235a formed with a pointer, will move the carriage with its head 202 along said shaft as will be understood.

The carriage is so mounted on the shaft 222 that it is adapted to be moved in order to relieve the pressure of the stylus upon the film. This pressure relieving means includes a flat spring bar or plate 224, one end of which is fastened to the top of the carriage 223 and the other end of which is free and extends outwardly of and away from said carriage. A shaft 225 is journalled in wall 21; and front panel 2c near the top thereof and disposed parallel to shaft 222. Fastened to the inner end of shaft 225 on the rear of the wall 2a is an upstanding arm 225.

Secured to the shaft 225 is a disc member 236 provided with a U-shaped notch 23?, the disc being so arranged relative. to the carriage 233 on shaft 222 that the projecting free end of the pring bar 224 is positioned within the notch 23''. The end of the bar is adapted to assume four different positions in the notch, which positions may be indicated by the letters a, b, c and d on a scale Z on the face of the front panel 2c and arranged in an arc to conform to the swing of the pointer 235 as will be seen from Fig.1.

When the shaft 225 is moved so that the pointer 235 points to a as in Fig. l, the disc 236 on said shaft will have been moved around so that the lower edge of the wall of notch 231 will engage the free end of the fiat spring bar 224 and slightly lift the same upwardl to exert a maximum pressure on the head 202 and its stylus in order to supply the necessary pressure for cutting grooves or tracks upon the film for recording purposes. This is the recording position and is indicated as a on the scale Z.

When the shaft and disc are moved to the position b on the scale, the upward pressure on the bar 224 is released but the bar is in engagement with the lower'wall of the notch. In this position only the dead weight of the head and carriage is exerted on the stylus sumcient to keep the stylus in position in the groove cut in the film and touching the walls thereof for reproducing or play-back. This i the reproducing or play-back position of the parts.

When the shaft and disc are racked further to the position, the bar is free of the walls of the notch and the carriage and head may be swung slightly and lifted suificiently to permit the stylus to be removed and replaced. This may be called the neutral position of the parts.

When the shaft and disc are rocked to the d position, the upper wall of the notch forces the end of the bar 224 downwardly and the carriage and head upwardly thereby lifting the stylus off of the film to permit the film to move freely from In the form ofmy invention shown in Fig. l, the reels am and 26a are'carried by a bar 300 slidably mounted in spaced bearing strap 30! on the inner side of wall 2a near the bottom "thereof. The shafts 302 of the reels pass through slots 302 in said wall and each shaft has a pulley 303 fixed to its inner end. Endless spring belt 304v passing around spaced peripheral grooves in a roller clutch member 305 bring the drive from said shaft to the pulleys 3-03 and reels. The clutch member 305 is splined to the inner end of driven shaft 209, which member has an elongated hub portion formed at its outer end with clutch teeth 30'! adapted to be moved into operative engagement with a complementary clutch member 3E6 on the adjacent end of driving shaft 206 to connect said shafts.

The means for sliding bar 300 comprises an elongated bar or lever 308 which has a slot and stud connections at one of its ends with the arm 226 on shaft 225 and has a pivotal connection at its other end with one arm 228' of a bell crank pivotally supported by a stub shaft 300 rockingly mounted on the Wall 2a. The other arm of the bell crank is pivotally connected to one end of a lever arm 310, the other end of said arm 3H1 being connected to a stud on the Sliding bar 300, whereby movement of'the shaft 225 is imparted to the slide 300.

Loosely mounted on the bearing sleeve for the shaft 269 adjacent the inner face of drive roller 203 is a disc member 3H, which member by means of a stud projecting from its outer face supports the roller 20 3 in the plane of the drive roller 203. Normally this disc is positioned so that the roller 204 is disposed downwardly and rearwardly of th drive roller 203 when recording so that the film, after leaving roller 203, passes rearwardly and over the roller 204 forming a loop and thereby exerting the necessary tension upon the film to keep it taut under the stylus for recording.

Means are provided for readily remow'ng this loop portion of the film so that the film can be rewound or can pass from reel 26a to reel 3m and over the roller 203 without any tension. This is accomplished by removing the roller 204 from the path of movement of the film and this is done by rotation of the disc 3| I to carry the roller around and upwardly above the uppermost layer of film to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the roller is in this upper position the film passes over the roller 203 and under- ;neath the roller 204 without touching the latter.

The means for rotating this disc 3| l includes a pinion 3l2 fixed to one face of the disc and which is adapted to be engaged by the teeth of a gear segment 3l3 pivoted on shaft 3G9. Shaft 309 is rigidly connected to shaft 225 through the bell crank arm 228', lever 308 and arm 226 so that when said shaft 225 is rocked by the knob 235 to the rewind or (1 position, said shaft 309 is rocked thereby rocking gear segment SIS which rotates the pinion 3l2 with the disc 3H and supported roller 204 thereby moving the roller 204 around from its lowermost'position to its uppermost position, above and away from the path of movement of the film as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the roller 204 is in this position, the film passes freely without any tension from the reel 26a to the reel 3la.

The rocking of the shaft 225 for the purpose of releasing the tension on the film for rewind purposes just described also at the same time moves the disc 236 around so that the upper wall of notch 23! engages the outer free end of bar 224 and forces said end downwardly thereby lifting the head 202 off of the film.

During these operations, the motor need notbe stopped as the film is running freely on the roller 203 but if it is desired to stop the motor a switch 3001! may be provided on the front panel 2c for this purpose.

The manual means for actuating the clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting shafts 206 and 209 is shown in detail and indicated generally at 3001) in Fig. 3 and includes a horizontal actuating rod 315 slidably supported between the wall 2a and panel 2c and protruding outwardly therefrom. A lever arm 316 extends downwardly from the inner end of said rod 315, its upper end being fastened to said inner end and its lower end being forked and engaging an annular groove in a hub portion of the clutch member 305. By reason of this construction, movement of the rod 315 inwardly and outwardly moves the clutch member 305 inwardly and outwardly along the shaft 209 whereby the shafts 206 and 209 are connected and disconnected. A finger piece 311 is mounted on the outer end of the rod 315 to facilitate movement thereof. Encircling the rod adjacent its inner end is a spiral spring 318, one end of which seats against the wall 2a and the other end against a collar 319 fixed on the rod. When the rod 315 is pushed inwardly to connect the shafts 206 and 209, such movement is opposed by spring 318. To hold the rod in its inward operative position, I provide a latching yoke member 320 which is pivoted to the wall 2a below and adjacent the rod 3I5. An elongated handle 320' is fixed centrally to the yoke member and extends forwardly and through an opening in the front panel 20. The inner end of the handle terminates in a lug 320a: which when the yoke member is swung upwardly as shown in Fig. 3 engages the outer edge of the collar 319 for latching or holding the rod 315 in pushed-in position. When the yoke is swung downwardly the lug and collar are disengaged and the spring 318 forces the rod 315 with its associated parts outwardly to break the connection between shafts 206 and 209. The yoke member may be held in latching position by a spring member 321, one end of which is fastened to a fixed part of wall 2a and its other end is free and impinges against one arm of the yoke member as seen in Fig. 5. The handle 320' permits ready manual operation of this yoke holding member.

An important feature of my present invention is the provision of means whereby a complete subject may be out or recorded on a plurality of tracks on a comparatively short length of film rather than out along the entire length of film on a single track or on a fewer number of tracks thereby eliminating the necessity of running or rewinding the film for its entire length and thereby saving film material. I accordingly provide mechanism whereby at a predetermined point along the travel of the film in its recording direction and at a predetermined point along the travel of the film in its rewinding direction the film driving mechanism is stopped by automatically releasing the clutch members for disconnecting the shafts 200 and 209. This automatic releasing mechanism is operatively connected to the mechanism for indicating the position of the stylus longitudinally of the film which will be presently described. This indicating mechanism includes a shaft 246 journalled in suitabl bearings in wall 2a and front panel 20 and disposed parallel to shaft 209. A miter gear 241 is fixed to the outer end of shaft 246 and this gear is in continuous mesh with a pinion 241' on the end of a shaft projecting from and operatively connected to a counting device 248 mounted on the front panel. The shaft 246 is driven directly by the shaft 302 of the reel 26a by means of a pulley 322 on the inner end of shaft 302 and an endless spring belt 322' operatively connecting said pulley and a pulley 246' on the inner end of shaft 246. The reel shaft 302 of reel 26a makes the required number of rotations for the desired length of film movement, say 500 feet. The counting device 248 will of course be preset to correspond with the correct mark on the film so that the mark or number, for instance, as it passes under the stylus will be registered on the counting device. A window 248" is formed in the panel for viewing the counting device in order to give the operator 2. chance to see what particular section or zone on the film is being operated upon by the stylus.

It will be here noted that the reel 26a is driven in one direction by the belt drive 304. When it is desired to rewind the film, the machine is stopped and the parts set to rewinding position by turning the finger knob 235 until it points to d on the scale. The machine is started again by pushing in the rod 315 when the machine will be rewinding and the film is rotating the shaft 302 of reel 26a and through the spring belt 322' connection shaft 246 is being driven in a reverse direction by the rewinding action of the film.

A reduction train of gearing is associated with shaft 245 and comprises a worm 323 fixed on said shaft, and a worm wheel 324 having a hub portion rotatable freely in the hub portion of a bracket 325 mounted on front panel 20, adjacent the shaft 246. A similar bracket with a similar hub portion internally screw threaded (not shown) is mounted on the panel at a point on the other side of the center of the panel. A screw threaded rod 326 is supported in threaded engagement with the hubs of said brackets and is disposed transversely to the axis of the shaft 246. A rod member 325' is supported in suitable sockets in brackets 325 and is disposed parallel to the screw threaded rod 326, and is also disposed transversely of and beneath the elongated handle 320 of the latching yoke member 329. Adjustably secured to the shaft 326 are two camming devices 321, each of which has an upstanding arm terminating in a cam faced lug and a lateral forked arm 32? adapted to straddle and slidably engage rod member 325'. The camming devices are positioned on opposite sides of the handle 320 with their caniming portions in opposed relationship and p051 ti-oned in alignment with the upper surface of said handle. When the shaft 302 i rotated in one direction by the belt 304 for recording purposes, the shaft 246 is turned by belt 322 in one direction and this movement of shaft 246 is trans mitted through the reduction gearing to screw threaded shaft 326 which, through its threaded connection, moves bodily longitudinally in one direction under the handle 320' carrying the camming devices along with it, With the result that the camming device moving toward the handle will engage the upper surface of the handle and by a camming action force the handle downwardly to disengage its holding lug from the collar 319 at which time the spring 318 urges the rod 315 outwardly to break the clutch connection between shaft 206 and 209 as will be understood.

When the shaft .302 is rotated in the opposite direction, the other camming device will be moved intotripping engagement with the latching yoke handle as will be understood.

After the connection between shafts 265 and 299 .are thus automatically broken, the knob 235 is turned again to move the parts to desired po sition, such as to the rewinding position, and when this is done the rod 3E5 is pushed inwardly again in order to connect the shafts 296 and 209 after which the machine is again ready to carry on its rewinding function. This cycle of operations is continued until the necessary number of tracks have been out. It will be understood that the camming devices 321 are positioned along the rod 326 at the proper positions to permit the machine to continue recording and rewinding for the desired length of film. By this arrangement only a certain predetermined length of film is used for recording the subject .matter and the remainder of the film is untouched, resulting in a great saving of fihn material.

It will be understood that the spring belt 322 slightly .stretched when the slide 38 3 is shifted upon the rocking of the shaft 225 but this does not interfere with its function in driving the counter shaft 246.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modified form of drive for the reels 26a and 31a. In'thi form, the reels'are alternately driven in the recording and film feed ing directions by miter gears 328 fixed to the reel spindles 392 which are adapted to be riven by pinions 329 fixed on the ends of a sliding and rotating shaft 330. Shaft see is rotated by a belt 33| driven by a pulley 332 fixed on shaft 268, the axes of the shafts being at right angles to that. by only a fraction of a turn of the shaft 222, for example a one-fifth turn, the head member 202 is shifted one line or step transversely of the film. The arm 222a is adapted to be held in operative position with its threads in engagement with the threads on the shaft 222 or in inoperative position with said threads disengaged by a pin 35! passing through an opening in the arm 222a and protruding into one of two spaced depressions 352 formed in the side of the carriage 223. A spring 353 presses the pin into interlocking position. Arm 222a is formed with a finger portion 354 to facilitate manipulation of the arm. It will be understood that rotation of shaft 222 by means of the knob 235a, due to the engagement of the threads, will cause the carriage 223 and head 262 to move along the shaft to any desired position on the film.

In Fig. 8 is shown means for indicating the position of the stylus transversely of the film consisting of a disc member 355 rotatably mounted on a stud projecting from the inner surface of front panel 20. This disc is formed with teeth on its periphery and the disc is positioned on the wall so that said teeth are in continuous mesh with teeth 351 formed on the outer end of shaft 222. The disc is marked with numerals or other 7 suitable indicia adjacent its periphery to correeach other the belt is necessarily given a quarter turn. Shaft 33%] is supported 'fOr rotation and endwise movement by hearing straps 334 fixed on the wall 20:. The means for moving the shaft endwise consists of an elongated lever 335 having one end pivoted to one arm of the bell crank 223' and having its other end pivoted to a depending arm 336 pivotally mounted on a stud on the wall 2a, the free end of said depending arm being disposed in the periphera1 groove of a grooved collar 33'! fixed on shaft 339. As will be understood, when the lever 3558 is rocked by the finger knob 235, the shaft 339 will be moved endwise to bring either of the pinions 329 on its ends into mesh with its adjacent gear 328 on shaft 392 to positively drive the reel on said shaft.

In Figs. 7 and 8, improved mechanism is shown for moving the recording and reproducing head transversely of the path of movement of the film, and also improved mechanism for indicating the line on the film on which the stylus is operating. As shown in Fig. 7, a shaft or spindle 222 is journalled in suitable bearings in wall 2:: and front panel 20. This shaft is provided with screw threads on its exterior for a considerable portion of its length. The head member 282 is supported by a carriage 223 which ha a central opening free of screw threads for receiving the shaft 222 and for sliding along said shaft. An arm 222a is pivotally mounted on the side of the carriage 223 as indicated at 359. This arm 22a has an arcuate shaped portion on its outer surface which is provided with screw threads and when the arm is swung on its pivot toward the shaft 222 said latter screw threads are adapted to engage the screw threads on the shaft .222.

The screw threads on shaft 222 are made very coarse and the screw threads on the arm 222a are cut to correspond and to mesh with the screw threads on said shaft. These threads .are cut so spond to the tracks or grooves adapted to be cut on the film. As the shaft 222 is rotated to shift the head 252 from one track to another on the film, such movement is transmitted through the teeth 35'! to the disc 355 so that .said disc is rotated a corresponding distance.

A window 358 is formed in the panel 20 in the path of movement of the numerals whereby they are exposed to view.

Before starting operations, the positions of the head-202 and the disc 355 are preset.

Mechanism for moving the stylus away from the track being operated upon and for returning the stylus and for indicating the particular track previously operated upon such as shown in my copending application Serial Number 440,710 may be used in association with the line indicating means just described if desired.

A scale may be proivded on the outsideof the panel 20 in the front of knob 235a with spaced numerals, for instance, 1 to 5 to indicate partial rotations of the shaft 222.

I claim:

1. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a travelin strip of film, means for moving said film for recording and reproducing including a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a roller fixed on said driven shaft for frictionally driving said film, a sound head for recording and reproducing upon said film, means for tensioning said film during its recording and reproducing travel including a disc loosely mounted on said drive shaft, a roller carried by said disc for engaging and looping said film, a gear fixed to said disc and means for moving said tensioning roller away from said film to eliminate said loop for rewinding the film including a rockable shaft, a gear segment operatively connected to said shaft and in mesh with the gear 011 the disc for moving said disc and tensioning roller away from the film and means for rockin said shaft. 1

2. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a traveling strip of film, a sound head for recording and reproducing upon said film, means for moving said film in opposite directions for recording and rewinding including a drive shaft, a driven shaft in alignment with said drive shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting said shafts including a clutch member on the adjacent ends of said shafts, means for actuating said clutch mechanism including a slidable rod, a lever having one end connected to said rod and its other end connected to one of said clutch members for moving the same into and out of engagement with the other clutch member, spring means for moving said clutch members out of engagement with each other and means for releasably holding said clutch members in engagement including a manually swingable latching yoke member adapted to coact with a fixed portion of said slidable rod for holding said rod in operative position.

3. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a traveling strip of film, a sound head for recording and reproducing upon said film, means for moving said film in opposite directions for recording and rewinding including a drive shaft, a driven shaft in alignment with said drive shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting said shafts including a clutch member on the adjacent ends of said shafts, means for actuating said clutch mechanism including a slidable rod, a collar on said rod, a lever having one end connected to said rod and its other end connected to one of said clutch members for moving the same into and out of engagement with the other clutch member, spring means for moving said clutch members out of engagement with each other and means for releasably holding said clutch members in engagement with each other including a manually swingable latching yoke member having a lug adapted to be swung into engagement with the collar on said rod for holding the rod in operative position.

4. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a traveling strip of film, a sound head for recording and reproducing upon said film, means for moving said film in opposite directions for recording and rewinding including a drive shaft, a driven shaft in alignment with said drive shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting said shafts including a clutch member on the adjacent ends of said shafts, means for actuating said clutch mechanism including a slidable rod, a lever having one end connected to said rod and its other end connected to one of said clutch members for moving the same into and out of engagement with the other clutch member, spring means for moving said clutch members out of engagement with each other and means for releasably holding said clutch members in engagement including a manually swingable latching yoke member adapted to coact with a fixed portion of said slidable rod for holding said rod in operative position and means for automatically releasing said latching yoke member to disconnect said clutch members.

5. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a traveling strip of film, a sound head for recording and reproducing upon said film, means for moving said film in opposite directions for recording and rewinding including drive shaft, a driven shaft in alignment with said drive shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting said shafts including a clutch member on the adjacent ends of said shafts,

means for actuating said clutch mechanism including a slidable rod, a lever having one end connected to said rod and its other end connected to one of said clutch members for moving the same into and out of engagement with the other clutch member, spring means for moving said clutch member out of engagement with each other, means for releasably holding said clutch members in engagement including a manually swingable latching yoke member adapted to coact with a fixed portion of said slidable rod for holding said rod in operative position and means for automatically releasing said latching yoke member to disconnect said clutch members including movable spaced camming devices operatively connected to said drive shaft and movable in the path of said latching yoke memher for moving said yoke member out of latching engagement with said slidable rod to disconnect said shafts.

6. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a traveling film, means for moving said film in opposite directions for recording and rewinding including a drive shaft, a driven shaft, clutch mechanism for operatively connecting said shafts, means for actuating said clutch mechanism including a slidable rod and a latching yoke member for holding said rod against movement, a roller fixed on said driven shaft for ifrictionally driving said film, a sound head for recording and reproducing upon said film and means associated with said clutch actuating mechanism for automatically disconnecting said drive and driven shafts at a predetermined point along said film during its recording travel and at a predetermined point along said film during its return travel for rewinding movable spaced camming devices operatively connected to said drive shaft and movable into the path of said latching yoke member for moving said yoke member out of latching engagement with said slidable rod to disconnect said shafts.

'7. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, in combination, a casing having a front panel, a traveling film, means for driving said film in opposite directions including a drive shaft, a driven shaft and a roller fixed on said driven shaft for frictionally moving said" film, a movable sound unit having a stylus for recording and reproducing on said film over a plurality of tracks thereon, means for shifting said sound unit from track to track transversely of the film including a rotatable exteriorly screw threaded shaft disposed transversely of said film, gear teeth formed adjacent one end of said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and means for indicating the position of the stylus transversely of the film including a rotatable disc having spaced numerals marked thereon corresponding to the number of tracks upon the film, teeth formed on the periphery of said disc in continuous mesh with the gear teeth on said shaft whereby movement of the shaft is imparted to said disc and a window formed in said panel in the path of movement of the numerals on said disc, said disc and shaft being synchronized whereby the number of the track uponwhich the stylus is positioned appears in said window.

JACOB M. KUHLIK. 

